Produced in large quantity by the Mauser Co., DWM, other commercial firms, and several German government arsenals, the Mauser 98 in various rifle and carbine versions was the standard German shoulder arm for almost half a century. Also in 1896, Germany experimented with Mausers of various calibers.Īs a result of these experiments, Germany adopted an improved 7.9 mm. Sweden adopted a Mauser carbine in 1894 and a Mauser rifle in 1896, both chambered for the 6.5x55 cartridge. (German Arms and Ammunition Co., Inc.) abbreviated DWM. In 1896, both Loewe and Mauser came under the control of Deutsche Waffen-und Munitionsfabriken, A.-G. And also had a partial financial control of Fabrique Nationale which was founded for the purpose of producing Belgian Model 1889 military rifles. Loewe owned a controlling interest in the Mauser Co. Produced by Many Firms In addition to the Mauser firm, leading producers of Mausers during the early 1890’s were Fabrique Nationale in Herstal, Belgium, and Ludwig Loewe & Co., Berlin, Germany. Most important of these was the Spanish Model 1893, the first Mauser with a staggered-column box magazine. Improved models adopted by Turkey, Spain, and various South American nations were introduced in the early 1890’s.

Featuring a box magazine and a one-piece bolt with dual forward locking lugs, the Belgian Model 1889 rifle served as a basis for further Mauser turnbolt rifle developments. Smokeless-powder rifle that he developed was adopted by Belgium in 1889. Paul Mauser was disappointed that Germany had adopted the Model 1888 without consulting him, but a 7.65 mm. Smokeless-powder magazine rifle was developed by a government commission, and incorporated several action features of Mauser blackpowder rifles along with a modified version of the Austrian Mannlicher box magazine and the cartridge clip. Blackpowder Mausers were also produced for China, Serbia, and Turkey.įrance adopted the Lebel smokeless-powder magazine rifle in 1886, and Germany kept pace with this important development by adopting a 7.9 mm.

These early Mausers were produced by the Mauser factory at Oberndorf a./N., Germany, Austria, and German government arsenals. Developed by Paul Mauser and his brother, Wilhelm, this single-shot blackpowder arm was superseded by a tubular-magazine repeater, the German Model 71/84. The first successful Mauser rifle was the Model 1871 made principally for Germany. While they undoubtedly proved a headache for arms manufacturers who had to maintain an extensive assortment of marking dies, they now provide considerable fascination and delight for arms students and collectors. From the January, 1971 issue of American Rifleman Coats of Arms and other markings on Mauser turnbolt rifles and carbines are extremely varied.

Luger serial number search